Preload assembly for roller bearings

ABSTRACT

A preload assembly for bearings comprising in combinations a threaded bolt, an anti-rotational washer, a serrated edge locking washer, and a threaded locking nut having a shallow outer profile and at least four locking notches in an outer edge thereof.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17/158,054 filed on Jan. 26, 2021 for which priority is claimed.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable.

REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTING COMPACT DISC APPENDIX

Not Applicable.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The applicant is unaware of any prior art in this field.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is a preload assembly for roller bearings. The preload assembly for bearings comprises a threaded bolt. The threaded bolt has a predetermined length and a threaded shaft that has a predetermined diameter. The threaded bolt has an enlarged head. The enlarged head comprises a compression head and a center mounted hex head wherein the compression head is larger in diameter than the hex head. The compression head has a channel surrounding the hex head forming a wall around the hex head and there is a slot formed in the wall to receive a locking tab. There is an outside surface on the compression head that has a predetermined number of threads thereon. The threaded bolt has a predetermined overall length.

There is a first anti-rotational washer. The first anti-rotational washer has a center opening which is larger than the bolt and enlarged head, but smaller than the axle on which the assembly is to be used. The first anti-rotational washer has two side surfaces. There is an inside surface and an outside surface. The inside surface has a shallow recess larger in diameter than the axle. The outside surface is a raised surface that has a diameter larger than the axle. The center opening has contained therein a first locking tab that aligns with the slot in the wall.

There is a serrated edge locking washer.

There is a locking nut that has a shallow outer profile and at least four locking notches in an outer edge thereof.

The present invention is a preload assembly for bearings wherein the length of the threaded shaft is from 0.750 to 3.00 inches; there are 7 to 27 threads on the threaded shaft; the diameter of the threaded bolt is from 0.625 to 0.875 inches.

In addition, the threaded compression head has from 6 to 18 threads; first anti-rotational washer inside surface shallow recess has a diameter of from 2.0 to 3.0 inches; the anti-rotational washer inside surface shallow recess has a depth of from 0.001 to 0.062 inches; the outside surface raised surface has a diameter of from 2.0 to 3.2 inches; the outside surface raised surface has a height of from 0 to 0.062 inches.

The outside surface of the threaded locking nut is biased downwardly from a center to an outside edge and the entire assembly is covered by a hub.

In one embodiment of the invention, there is a threaded bolt having a predetermined length and a threaded shaft that has a predetermined diameter. The threaded bolt has an enlarged head. The enlarged head comprises a compression head and a center mounted hex head. The compression head is larger in diameter than the hex head. The compression head has a channel surrounding the hex head forming a wall around the hex head.

There is a slot formed in the wall to receive the locking tabs, an outside surface of the compression head has a number of predetermined threads thereon. The threaded bolt has a predetermined overall length of from 1 inches to 3 inches and a diameter of 1 inch to 2 inches.

There is another embodiment of this invention, which is a method of preloading bearings in a wheel assembly the method comprises preparing an axle with roller bearings and races. The axle has a bolt stud with a threaded center bore on an outside end.

The preload assembly is created by inserting the threaded bolt into the bolt stud then sliding an anti-rotational washer over the threaded bolt to interface with the axle, then sliding the serrated edge locking washer against the anti-rotational washer then threading the threaded locking nut onto the compression head and turning and threading against the serrated edge locking washer and all components. The assembly is then tightened by using a torque wrench to tighten the threaded nut to a pre-prescribed torque.

The method described Supra can have an additional step that provides a hub covering over the preload assembly.

The first anti-rotational washer configured for use in a preload assembly for bearings has a center opening which is larger than the bolt and enlarged head, but smaller than the axle on which the assembly is to be used. The anti-rotational washer has two side surfaces, an inside surface and an outside surface. The inside surface has a shallow recess larger in diameter than the axle. The outside surface is a raised surface that has a diameter larger than the axle. The center opening has contained therein first locking tab that aligns with the slot in the wall.

In a second embodiment there is a second anti-rotational washer configured for use in a preload assembly for bearings. The second anti-rotational washer has a center opening which is larger than the bolt and enlarged head, but smaller than the axle on which the assembly is to be used. The second anti-rotational washer has an inside surface. The inside surface has a shallow recess larger in diameter than the axle, but no raised surface on the opposite side. The center opening has contained therein a first locking tab that aligns with the slot in the wall.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S)

FIG. 1 is a full side view of the preload assembly for roller bearings showing a partial axle which is not part of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a full top view of the threaded bolt.

FIG. 3 is a full side view of the threaded bolt.

FIG. 4 is a full top view of the threaded locking nut.

FIG. 5 is a full side view of the threaded locking nut.

FIG. 6 is a partial view of the threaded locking nut taken at point P of FIG. 5 .

FIG. 7 is a full top view of the first anti-rotational washer with a raised surface.

FIG. 8 is a cross sectional view of FIG. 7 through line A-A.

FIG. 9 is a full front view of the serrated edge locking washer.

FIG. 10 is a full side view of the serrated edge locking washer.

FIG. 11 is a full top view of the second embodiment of the anti-rotational washer.

FIG. 12 is a cross sectional view of FIG. 11 through line B-B showing no raised surface on the front surface.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION AND DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows the preload assembly 2 for roller bearings. The preload assembly for bearings 2 comprises a threaded bolt 4. The threaded bolt 4 has a predetermined length and a threaded shaft that has a predetermined diameter. The threaded bolt 4 having an enlarged head 6. The enlarged head 6 comprises a compression head 10 and a center mounted hex head 8. The compression head 10 is larger in diameter than the hex head 8. The compression head 10 has a channel 12 surrounding the hex head 8 forming a wall 14 around the hex head 8 and there is a slot 16 (shown in FIG. 2 ) formed in the wall 14 to receive the locking tabs 70(shown in FIG. 9 ). There is an outside surface 20 of the compression head 10 that has a predetermined number of threads 22 thereon. The threaded bolt 4 has a predetermined overall length.

There is a first anti-rotational washer 30. The anti-rotational washer 30 has a center opening 32 that is larger than the bolt and enlarged head, but smaller than an axle 24 (FIG. 1 ) on which the preload assembly 2 is to be used. The anti-rotational washer 30 has two side surfaces. There is an inside surface 34 and an outside surface 36 (shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 ). The inside surface 34 has a shallow recess 38 larger in diameter than the axle 24. The outside surface 36 is a raised surface 40 that has a diameter larger than the axle 24. The center opening 32 has contained therein first locking tab 42 that aligns with the slot 16 in the wall 14.

There is a locking nut 26. The locking nut 26 has a shallow outer profile 48 and at least four locking notches 50 in an outer edge 52 thereof.

In FIG. 1 there is shown the roller bearings 54 and wheel hub 68 not part of the invention. Seals 56 are first mounted on the axle 24. The first roller 54 is slid onto the axle 24 to a predetermined point on the axle 24. Then a second roller bearing 54 is slid onto the axle 24. The hub 68 is then mounted on the axle. The threaded bolt 4 is then threaded into the bolt stud and tightened. The anti-rotational washer 30 is slid into position next. The serrated edge locking washer 44 is added next. Then the locking nut 26. Then the threaded bolt 4 is threaded into the end of the axle 24. It has been discovered that the length and diameter of the thread of the threaded bolt 4 and the lock nut 26 gives the exact amount of torque placed upon the bearing assembly 2 to create the correct load for the preloaded bearing assembly 2.

The present invention is a preload assembly for bearings 2 wherein the length of the threaded shaft 60 is from 0.750 to 3.00 inches.

FIG. 2 shows the threaded bolt 4 from the top. The preload assembly for bearings 2 comprises a threaded bolt 4. The threaded bolt 4 has a predetermined length and a threaded shaft 60 that has a predetermined diameter 62 (FIG. 3 ). The threaded bolt 4 has an enlarged head 6. The enlarged head 6 comprises a compression head 10 and a center mounted hex head 8. The compression head 10 is larger in diameter than the hex head 8. The compression head 10 has a channel 12 surrounding the hex head 8 forming a wall 14 around the hex head 8 and there is a slot 16 formed in the wall 14 to receive the first locking tab 42 (FIG. 7 ). There is an outside surface 20 of the compression head 10 that has a predetermined number of threads 22 thereon. The threaded bolt 4 has a predetermined overall length.

FIG. 3 shows the threaded bolt 4 from the side. The preload assembly for bearings 2 comprises a threaded bolt 4. The threaded bolt 4 has a predetermined length and a threaded shaft 60 that has a predetermined diameter 62. The threaded bolt 4 has an enlarged head 6. The enlarged head 6 comprises a compression head 10 and a center mounted hex head 8. The compression head 10 is larger in diameter than the hex head 8. The compression head 10 has a channel 12 surrounding the hex head 8 forming a wall 14 around the hex head 8 and there is a slot 16 formed in the wall 14 to receive a first locking tab 42(FIG. 7 ). There is an outside surface 20 of the compression head 10 that has a predetermined number of threads 22 thereon. The threaded bolt 4 has a predetermined overall length.

FIG. 4 shows the threaded locking nut 26 from the top. The locking nut 26 has a shallow outer profile 48 and at least four locking notches 50 in an outer edge thereof 52. There is an inside surface 66 that is threaded which thread onto the outside surface 20 of the compression head 10.

FIG. 5 shows the threaded locking nut 26 shown from the side. The locking nut 26 has a shallow outer profile 48 a thickness of from 3/16 inch to 1 inch (FIGS. 5 and 6 )and at least four locking notches 50 in an outer edge thereof (FIG. 4 ). There is an inside surface 66 that is threaded and threads to the outside surface 20 of the compression head 10 from the side. FIG. 4 shows the threaded locking nut 26 from the top. The locking nut 26 has a shallow outer profile 48 and at least four locking notches 50 in an outer edge thereof.

FIG. 6 shows a sectional view of the threaded locking nut 26 taken at point p on FIG. 5 .

FIG. 7 shows the anti-rotational washer 30 from the top. The anti-rotational washer 30 has a center opening 32 which is larger than the bolt and enlarged head, but smaller than the axle 24 on which the preload assembly for roller bearings 2 is to be used. The anti-rotational washer 30 has two side surfaces. There is an inside surface 34 and an outside surface 36. The inside surface 34 has a shallow recess 38 larger in diameter than the axle 24. The outside surface 36 is a raised surface 40 that has a diameter larger than the axle 24. The center opening 32 has contained therein a first locking tab 42 that aligns with the slot 16 in the wall 14. The raised surface 40 rests against the serrated edge locking washer 44 which creates a gap at the outer edge allowing access to the serrations of the serrated lock washer 44 to allow for manipulation of each serration to fold into the locking notches 50. The inside surface shallow recess 38 allows the bearing 54 to come into contact with the anti-rotational washer 30 and be tightened without deforming the bearing 54.

FIG. 8 shows the anti-rotational washer 30 from the side. The anti-rotational washer 30 has a center opening 32 which is larger than the bolt 4 and enlarged head 10, but smaller than the axle 24 on which the preload assembly for roller bearings 2 is to be used. The anti-rotational washer 30 has two side surfaces. There is an inside surface 34 and an outside surface 36. The inside surface 34 has a shallow recess 38 larger in diameter than the axle 24. The outside surface 36 is a raised surface 40 that has a diameter larger than the axle 24. The center opening 32 has contained therein a first locking tab 42 that aligns with the slot 16 in the wall 14.

FIG. 9 shows the serrated edge locking washer 44 from the top. The serrated edge locking washer 44 has second locking tab 70.

FIG. 10 shows the serrated edge locking washer 44 from the side.

FIG. 11 shows the second embodiment of an anti-rotational washer 30 from the top. The anti-rotational washer 30 has a center opening 32 which is larger than the bolt and enlarged head, but smaller than the axle 24 on which the preload assembly for roller bearings 2 is to be used. The anti-rotational washer 30 has two side surfaces. There is an inside surface 34 and an outside surface 36. The inside surface 34 has a shallow recess 38 larger in diameter than the axle 24. The outside surface 36 that has a diameter larger than the axle 24. The center opening 32 has contained therein first locking tab 42 that aligns with the slot 16 in the wall 14. The outside surface is not raised. This embodiment is for use on a non-drive axle.

FIG. 12 shows the second embodiment 39 of the anti-rotational washer from the side. The anti-rotational washer 39 has a center opening 32 which is larger than the bolt 4 and enlarged head 10, but smaller than the axle 24 on which the preload assembly for roller bearings 2 is to be used. The anti-rotational washer 39 has two side surfaces. There is an inside surface 34 and an outside surface 36. The inside surface 34 has a shallow recess 38 larger in diameter than the axle 24. The outside surface 36 that has a diameter larger than the axle 24. The center opening 32 has contained therein first locking tab 42 that aligns with the slot 16 in the wall 14. The outside surface 36 is not raised. This embodiment is used on a non-drive axle.

The anti-rotational washer 30 or 39 is slid into place at the back of the serrated edge locking washer 44 with the indented side towards the axle. The anti-rotational washer 30 also has a first locking tab 42. This first locking tab 42 also fits into the slot 16. The serrated edge locking washer 44 has a second locking tab 70 that allows the serrated edge locking washer 44 to fit tightly against the locking nut 26 and fit into the slot 16 locking it into the locking nut 26. The outside surface 36 is a raised surface 40 that has a diameter larger than the axle 24 and fits against the serrated edge locking washer 44.

The preload assembly for bearings 2 comprises a threaded bolt 4. The threaded bolt 4 has a predetermined length and a threaded shaft that has a predetermined diameter. It has been discovered that when the threaded bolt 4 is rotated for insertion into the bolt stud the predetermined thread length regulates the position of the bearings relative to the axle. The outer end of the assembly 2 is covered with a small hub 64 (see FIGS. 5 and 6 ) which fits over the low profile locking nut and the bolt end.

The first embodiment of the anti-rotational washer is designed for drive axles, the second embodiment of the anti-rotational washer is designed for non-drive axles.

There is a method of preloading bearings in a wheel assembly the method comprising preparing an axle with roller bearings and races wherein the axle has a threaded bolt stud in an outside end. Provide a hub 68 on the axle 24. Assemble the preload assembly by inserting the threaded bolt into the threaded bolt stud and tightening.

Proceed by sliding the anti-rotational washer over the threaded bolt to interface with the axle. Continue by sliding the serrated edge locking washer against the anti-rotational washer. Then thread the threaded locking nut onto the compression head and turning the locking nut against the serrated edge locking washer and all other components. Finish by using a torque wrench to tighten the threaded locking nut to a pre-prescribed torque. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A preload assembly for bearings, said preload assembly for bearings comprising: A. a threaded bolt, said threaded bolt having a predetermined length and a threaded shaft having a predetermined diameter, said threaded bolt having an enlarged head, said enlarged head comprising a compression head and a center mounted hex head, said compression head being larger in diameter than said hex head, said compression head having a channel surrounding said hex head forming a wall around said hex head, there being a slot formed in said wall to receive a locking tab, an outside surface of said compression head having a predetermined number of threads thereon, said threaded bolt having a predetermined overall length; B. an anti-rotational washer, said anti-rotational washer having a center opening which is larger than the bolt and enlarged head, but smaller than the axle on which the assembly is to be used, said anti-rotational washer having two side surfaces, an inside surface and an outside surface, said inside surface having a shallow recess larger in diameter than said axle, said outside surface being a raised surface having a diameter larger than said axle, said center opening having contained therein a first locking tab that aligns with said slot in said wall; C. a serrated edge locking washer having a second locking tab; D. a threaded locking nut having a center opening and having a shallow outer profile and at least four locking notches in an outer edge thereof.
 2. A preload assembly for bearings as claimed in claim 1 wherein the length of the threaded shaft is from 0.750 to 3.00 inches.
 3. A preload assembly for bearings as claimed in claim 1 wherein there are 7 to 27 threads on said threaded shaft.
 4. A preload assembly for bearings as claimed in claim 1 wherein the diameter of said threaded bolt is from 0.625 to 0.875 inches.
 5. A preload assembly for bearings as claimed in claim 1 wherein the threaded compression head has from 6 to 18 threads.
 6. A preload assembly for bearings as claimed in claim 1 wherein said anti-rotational washer inside surface shallow recess has a diameter of from 2.0 to 3.0 inches.
 7. A preload assembly for bearings as claimed in claim 1 wherein said anti-rotational washer inside surface shallow recess has a depth of from 0.001 to 0.062 inches.
 8. A preload assembly for bearings as claimed in claim 1 wherein said outside surface raised surface has a diameter of from 2.0 to 3.2 inches.
 9. A preload assembly for bearings as claimed in claim 1 wherein said outside surface raised surface has a height of from 0 to 0.062 inches.
 10. A preload assembly for bearings as claimed in claim 1 wherein said outside surface of said threaded locking washer is biased downwardly from a center to an outside edge.
 11. A preload assembly for bearings as claimed in claim 1 wherein said assembly is covered by a hub.
 12. A threaded bolt for a preload assembly for bearings, said threaded bolt having a predetermined length and a threaded shaft having a predetermined diameter, said threaded bolt having an enlarged head, said enlarged head comprising a compression head and a center mounted hex head, said compression head being larger in diameter than said hex head, said compression head having a channel surrounding said hex head forming a wall around said hex head, there being a slot formed in said wall to receive a locking tab, an outside surface of said compression head having a predetermined number of threads thereon, said threaded bolt having a predetermined overall length.
 13. A method of preloading bearings in a wheel assembly said method comprising: i. preparing an axle with roller bearings and races, said axle having a threaded bolt stud in an outside end; ii. assemble said preload assembly by: a. inserting said threaded bolt into said bolt stud; b. sliding said anti-rotational washer over said threaded bolt to interface with said axle on its recess side; c. sliding said serrated edge locking washer against said anti-rotational washer; d. threading said threaded locking nut onto said compression head and thread against said serrated edge locking washer and all components a.-d. as claimed in claim 1; e. use a torque wrench to tighten said threaded locking nut to a pre-prescribed torque.
 14. The method as claimed in claim 13 wherein there is a step f. that provides a hub covering over said preload assembly.
 15. An anti-rotational washer configured for use in a preload assembly for bearings as claimed in claim 1, said anti-rotational washer having a center opening which is larger than the bolt and enlarged head, but smaller than the same diameter of an axle on which the assembly is to be used, said anti-rotational washer having two side surfaces, an inside surface and an outside surface, said inside surface having a shallow recess larger in diameter than said axle, said outside surface being a raised surface having a diameter larger than said axle, said center opening having contained therein a locking tab that aligns with said slot in said wall.
 16. An anti-rotational washer configured for use in a preload assembly for bearings as claimed in claim 1, said anti-rotational washer having a center opening which is larger than the bolt and enlarged head, but smaller than the same diameter of an axle on which the assembly is to be used, said anti-rotational washer having an inside surface, said inside surface having a shallow recess larger in diameter than said axle, said center opening having contained therein a second locking tab that aligns with said slot in said wall.
 17. A method of preloading bearings in a wheel assembly said method comprising: i. preparing an axle with roller bearings and races, said axle having a threaded bolt stud in an outside end; ii. assemble said preload assembly by: a. inserting said threaded bolt into said bolt stud and tightening; b. mounting a wheel hub on said roller bearings; c. sliding an anti-rotational washer over said threaded bolt on a recessed side to interface with said axle; d. sliding said serrated edge locking washer containing a locking tab against said anti-rotational washer; e. threading said threaded locking nut onto said compression head and turn against said serrated edge locking washer and all components; f. use a torque wrench to tighten said threaded locking nut to a pre-prescribed torque by: i. torquing to a predetermined torque; ii. loosening said threaded locking nut backwards ¼ of a turn; iii. re-torquing back to said predetermined torque; iv. loosen said threaded locking nut backward ¼ turn; v. torque said threaded locking nut to a second predetermined torque; vi. locking said threaded locking nut by turning said threaded locking tab into a locking slot on said threaded locking nut.
 18. The method as claimed in claim 17 wherein there is a step g. that provides a hub covering over said preload assembly at the locking nut end. 